SAGINAW, MI — Saginaw Development Director Odail Thorns said he supports the preservation efforts of Natalie Davis, historian Thomas Mudd and others who are attempting to save the former home of Rosemary DeGesero at 633 S. Washington in Saginaw.

Davis and Mudd plan to address City Council Monday to voice their concerns about City Hall's plan to demolish the 1874-built, 3,829-square-foot former lumber baron home and package it with other nearby lots for a commercial development.

"I'm for preservation and restoration," Thorns said, adding that the city has considered similar historical restorations and they tend to cost about 40 percent more than standard overhauls.

He estimates restoration of the DeGesero house could cost between $500,000 and $700,000.

Davis started a petition drive and Facebook page to drum up public support for preserving the house. The Facebook page gained about 287 "likes" in about a week.

"I gave her as much information as I could and told her we would help her in anyway we could," said Thorns, reflecting on a conversation he had with Davis this week. "Under no circumstances was I trying to discourage her."

However, Thorns said the situation is "complicated," because he received direction to look at commercial opportunities for the property and purchased it for $19,900 last year with that goal in mind.

The city also purchased multiple empty lots on the same block.

The city boarded up the doors and windows at 633 S. Washington early this week after learning of the interest Davis and Mudd have in restoring it.